8 ways to get off the beaten track in Thailand

Thailand is a major travel destination, and as a result, much of its once-untouched landscape and island culture has been modernised. Yet, it still seems remarkably easy to get 'off the beaten track' in Thailand. This is due, in large part, to the fact that many first- and second-time visitors simply choose not to (as knowing the language quickly becomes a legitimate necessity and the transportation infrastructure degenerates aggressively farther from the tourist hotspots). The majority of the wonders to be seen in Thailand have become top tourist traps by default, so getting off the beaten path is an undertaking for a different kind of thrill—the experience of true Thai life, synced with the ebb and flow of the weather and seasons. This makes exploring and experiencing the 'unseen' Thailand a great opportunity to break from the hustle of 9-5 culture, and to often find more eco-friendly and fulfilling experiences.

Travel till you run out of English speakers This seems pretty obvious, but what acts as a deterrent to most travellers is a fantastic guide to determine your level of off-track-ness. Yes, it will mean you'll need to learn a few key phrases (such as 7-Eleven yoo nai krap—where is the 7-Eleven?), keep some key photos on your phone (you know, like a bathroom door), or perhaps have a pencil and paper handy for notes and drawings; but the only way to get properly remote and utterly off the beaten track is to cut yourself off from the world, you and more importantly, all the other tourists are comfortable with. This will not only help you accomplish your travel goals and facilitate that proper adventure, but it will also seriously help the local economy, which suffers in areas not immediately adjacent to key tourist destinations.

Travel by motorbike One of the easiest ways to traverse Thailand and the easiest way to find the path-less-travelled is by motorbike. Even on well-worn circuits (like the 3-hour stretch from Chiang Mai to Pai via Route 1095) becomes very much an individualised experience as you travel farther north and with the freedom a motorbike provides. Additionally, the motorbike is probably the most ideal way to explore the multitude of islands surrounding Thailand. Yes, some may get a little hairy if you're an inexperienced biker (like the rougher and steeper roads to the better beaches on the northern and eastern edges of Ko Pha Ngan), but by and large, the best (and most cost-effective) way to set out is on a motorbike—particularly since the cost of motorbike freedom is about 600 baht ($18.61) daily out of Chiang Mai, and fuel only 39.27 baht ($1.22) per gallon.

Go north (east) Generally, the northern half of Thailand is the best place to leave the souvenir stalls behind and enter the true 'land of smiles'. Some key regions to visit when planning your trip off the beaten path are Isaan and North.

You know you're on the right track when the Wikipedia page for Isaan lists 'Buddhist monks' as the first subcategory under 'Notable natives or residents'. Literally translating to 'north east direction', this massive section of north-eastern Thailand is home to a third of the native population, but only sees about 0.31% of the nation's overall annual tourists. Sure, there are some key tourist hotspots in Isaan, but even those get routinely skipped over by the week- to week-and-a-half traveller starting in Bangkok.

Perhaps you'll hit up the Mekong riverside in Sangkhom to do a little hammock lounging. Perhaps you'll go to Nakhon Phanom province to see the oldest temple in Thailand (That Phanom), before reaching Loei province at the northern tip of Isaan, to explore its many peaceful river towns. Regardless of where you wind up, Isaan has it all—national parks, mountains and rivers (often with accompanying temples, like the Wat Phu Tok mountain temple and Erawan shrine), ruins, and a near-endless sea of rice paddies.

Moreover, Northern Thailand is something of a hub for backpackers and long-holidayers. As the nexus between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, Northern Thailand is a cultural blend of the three, and time should be allotted to teasing apart the Laotian and Burmese influences on Thai regions. Backpackers gravitate to the north to lose themselves in the legendary trekking and motorcycling circuits (such as the well-known ones in Chiang Mai, and the lesser-travelled ones in Nan), so it's a perfect place to get outdoorsy and carve your own path. The remote Nan province in particular, right at Laos border, is a great place to explore between its three major towns and six national parks.

Follow the coast Thailand's beach culture is justifiably legendary, considering its 2,000 miles of coastline and 85-degree summer days. This becomes incredibly evident when travelling to any of the many heavily populated beaches, such as the majority of the Krabi coast. But follow that coast a little farther, and you'll discover beaches that don't make to the 'top 10' lists, but wind up more beautiful in their isolation. Take Railay Beach in Southern Thailand, for example. It's a killer beach, and many make a day trip out there for sun, surf, cave exploration, and climbing. As a result, it's also become home to a dozen or more luxury resorts and is now super touristy. Follow the coast north a bit, however, and you'll wind up at Tonsai Beach—just as sweet, less than a third as populated. Plus, Tonsai is super laid-back, and a great place to grab a freshly ground chai or coffee and learn some slacklining or fire dancing.

Explore the islands Thailand has a ton of islands. For example, the island group in Phang Nga Bay comprises 67. Some islands are big enough to house full resorts, while others (many of which are privately owned and readily and cheaply available for rent) are much smaller and have accommodations for only a few, but are as off-the-beaten-track as they are ideal getaways for a peaceful and remote stay. Among the best are the islands in Trat province off the Andaman coast. Take Ko Kut, which has been described as 'so off-the-beaten-path you might get bored', or Ko Chang, the second largest Thai island after Phuket and the last 'cheap' island—large enough to find some solid secluded spots.

Don't rule out any day trips Many incredible Thailand experiences remain incredible because they don't, at the very first glance, seem quite as appealing. Take Doy Din Dang pottery studio, 7 mi north of Chiang Rai. Meaning 'Red Clay Hill', Doy Din Dang is a pottery studio in the middle of jungle nowhere, and is home to Somluk Pantiboon—an internationally renowned master potter. He gathers every material he uses from the land and supplies a lot of the ceramic ware you'll encounter at local restaurants. You can also sample some home-grown coffee that's supposed to be quite epic, so all around, it's an awesome trip that would likely never have occurred to you in the shadow of white temples and giant golden buddhas.

Alternatively, check out Bo Klua salt wells outside of Nan. They're thought to have been in use for over 800 years and tap into brine from ocean water trapped underground for millennia. The water is pulled up to the surface and boiled off to access the salt. Again, totally remote and not terribly exciting at first glance, but an awesome way to get utterly off the tourist grid.

Ask the locals If you must start your trip in one of the huge touristy cities in Thailand, fear not, there are still some amazing 'unseen' areas and neighbourhoods well within the city limits. Want to find where all the locals hide when the sea of tour buses shows up? Ask someone (and enjoy the benefit of being able to communicate with them in your native language). Of course, be wary, as some locals in the tourist districts will have their own agendas, but for the most part, you're likely to discover some legit locals-only spots by talking to the notoriously friendly people of Thailand.

Want some peace? Try spending a stint at a wat and explore the Buddhist culture of the country. For something altogether different, have someone direct you to the part-store, part-museum Papaya Vintage Shop in Bangkok, or go to Phang Nga in Phuket on your own between tours. Finally, when you've exhausted all the resources within the city, venture just outside them—for example, to Amphawa, just west of Bangkok, where you'll find a kickass floating market on weekends.

Travel slow The best way to get off the beaten track in virtually any destination is to give yourself enough time to do so. Sometimes this means having enough time to find that fork in the road that takes you to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs outside Chiang Mai. Sometimes it means having enough time to let a two- or three-day stay at Wat Suan Mokkh become a week-long experience.

The only way to find what you're looking for, to touch those furthest obscure regions, is to be around long enough to identify what those regions are, and the idiosyncrasies that define each and its inhabitants. If you've come to experience true Thai living, you really have to give yourself the opportunity to live it—slow down, stay awhile.

Congratulations!

You have been successfully added to the mailing list of happytrips.com. To complete the subscription process, kindly open your inbox and click on the confirmation link which has been emailed to you.

close

Share with friends

Thank You for sharing!Your friend will receive the article link on email mentioned.

(For more than one recipient, type addresses separated by commas)

8 ways to get off the beaten track in Thailand

Thailand is a major travel destination, and as a result, much of its once-untouched landscape and island culture has been modernised. Yet, it still seems remarkably easy to get ‘off the beaten track’ ...